In the latest book to discuss the dynamics of Master/slave relationships, we have "Master/slave Relations: A Handbook of Theory and Practice" by Robert J. Rubel, PhD. Like similar books by Christina Abernathy, Guy Baldwin, Jack Rinella or Jay Wiseman (who contributes this book's foreword), it sets out to explore the Master/slave dynamic. Building like a pyramid through various phases of mastery (and this is primarily a book directed to dominants), Dr. Rubel power-points his way through the book's near 200 pages.
Where Dr. Rubel excels here is in the details. He has a background as a financial CEO, and it shows. Protocol is the greatest part of Dr. Rubel's definition to Master/slave relationships, and references to manners and etiquette are liberally used. Also frequently placed throughout "Master/slave Relations" are fragments of commentary attributed to well known Master and slave individuals, allowing for additional gravitas from outside sources. This is no "whip'em into shape" handbook. "Master/slave Relations" aims to mold more than pulverize. It should be emphasized that one of the words in the book's title is "practice."
Referring back to Dr. Rubel's financial background, within the book's first 50 pages, he asks of the reader "How much are you willing to pay to get what you want?" He is not just posing this question financially (although financial responsibility does play a great role), but what are you - and by extension, your slave - willing to expand outside your pre-defined ideas of what you already have? His answers are structured and never glib, in fact, he uses several examples from the relationships in his life to punctuate his thoughts.
Even more important is Dr. Rubels' thoughts on the dynamics of the relationship. Most telling is a blocked off comment that reads:
"A slave's duty is to be of service to Master. That's it. The trick, then, is to be a Master worthy of such service."
Again, this is primarily a book for Dominants in search of greater understanding of D/s dynamics. The concept of reinvention is brought out frequently; structure (and I do mean that in a rigid fashion) and (here's that word again) protocols - mix with spirituality. What comes across throughout all of Dr. Rubel's work is the seriousness of it all. While he always comes off as sincere in his beliefs, there is more than a slight sense that you could well be reading a power-point presentation that you would otherwise be seated in an audience for. The density of "Master/slave Relations: Handbook of Theory and Practice" is so thick with scholarly intimation that you may have to take breaks from each chapter, to review and repeat. This could possibly be the most academic D/s lifestyle book I have ever encountered. If that is what your relationship (or search for understanding of self) requires, then by all means, delve in. Just be forewarned. The information here is invaluable, but it's also for the truly dedicated.
--Tim Brough
I am amazed at what I am learning from this book. It seems the answers to all the little problems I have been struggling with are here. I had the pleasure of meeting the author at an event in Florida recently and I can tell you his workshops are excellent and he does a fantastic job of summing it all up for you in this wonderful book. I am having a hard time putting it down and have put a lot of the information to good use already. This is a must have for anyone trying to master an M/s relationship. Some of the best money I have spent on reading material.
--Topnotchdomme
I consider this an expansion in many ways of the Leather Protocols book by Rubel. Here he gives more explicit examples of his own protocols and asks the reader to really consider what they might include and should include in their own should they chose the very, very rare path of an owner-slave or master-slave relationship. Personally my own protocols (yes, I do live this life, too) are not nearly as formal but these are very much the same considerations I felt were necessary to address when I began and as I continue in this life. Take the questions seriously don't just copy Rubel's ideas. Also don't plan on just jumping quickly into these relationships -- success requires planning and continuous reflection.
--TammyJo Eckhart
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